China shipyard’s 500-bed rig contract now effective

COSCO Corporation (Singapore) Limited has announced that contracts each in excess of $200 million for two advanced semi-submersible accommodation vessels to be constructed in China have been declared effective.
The accommodation rigs are to be built by COSCO subsidiary COSCO (Qidong) Offshore who are responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction of the two semi-submersible vessels.
They will be of Gusto MSC Ocean 500 design and will be equipped with 500 beds, DP3 station keeping systems, 10-point chain mooring and 300 ton cranes. This will allow for operations in both DP and anchored mode, providing maximum cost efficiency and flexibility.
Named ‘Safe Notos’ and ‘Safe Eurus’, the accommodation vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2016.